Brumating in fridge

[ConcinusMan]

To simplify, 50-55 degrees F, for 90-120 days is ideal in my opinion. Monitor them closely for weight loss or sickness. If all is well, and the snakes have good weight and no sickness, 50-55 for 3-4 months is no problem. Just be sure to warm them, and increase the daylight hours very gradually. Warm up too fast, and you risk killing them.

Even if they survive very hard and cold conditions over the winter brumation, the most risky time, is during the warm-up. Even after surviving a very hard and cold winter, they can die if you don't warm them up gradually (slowly) in the spring.

Similis' and checkered's should not require such harsh conditions. A few months at 10-20 degrees below average, and shorter days should be enough to induce breeding when the days get longer and warmer.

Checkered's and similis' often do not brumate in the wild, depending on location. Shorter days and cooler temperatures for a few months should be enough.

Do not underestimate the power of the daylight cycle. Shorter days and slightly cooler temperatures, followed by warmer and longer days is usually enough to induce breeding for many species from the southern states.